Summary
- Leaks suggest that the Generation 10 Pokemon games may be released for both the original Nintendo Switch and the upcoming Switch 2.
- The Switch 2 is confirmed to be backward compatible, allowing it to play Switch 1 Pokemon games regardless.
- Further details on future Pokemon games are anticipated during the Pokemon Presents event on February 27.
According to recent leaks surrounding the Pokemon franchise, it appears that the upcoming Generation 10 games may be released on both the original Nintendo Switch and the Switch 2. Although these games have not been officially announced, it was widely speculated that they would be developed exclusively for the Switch 2, given the performance issues experienced with the Generation 9 games, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, on the original Switch. These earlier games faced criticism due to their open-world mechanics struggling on the older hardware, leading many to believe that Game Freak would shift focus to the newer console for the next generation.
However, leaks from a Game Freak hacker, shared by Centro Leaks, indicate a different approach. The Generation 10 games, reportedly codenamed "Gaia," are being developed primarily for the original Switch. Additionally, a version dubbed "Super Gaia" has been discovered, which is seemingly tailored for the Switch 2. There's also evidence suggesting that "Pokemon Legends: Z-A" might receive a native release on the Switch 2.
Generation 10 Pokemon Games Could Be Coming to the Original Switch
While details about the Switch 2 are scarce, one confirmed feature is its backward compatibility with the original Switch. This means that owners of the Switch 2 will be able to play the Generation 10 Pokemon games and "Pokemon Legends: Z-A," even if they are not native releases on the new console. It's speculated that the Switch 2 might run these games more efficiently, similar to how newer Xbox and PlayStation consoles enhance the performance of older games, though this has yet to be confirmed. How Nintendo might enhance these potential Switch 2 ports remains unclear, especially since the console will already support playing these games.
As of now, there has been no official announcement regarding the Generation 10 Pokemon games, and fans should approach this information cautiously. More news could be revealed at the upcoming Pokemon Presents event on February 27. However, it's understood that this event will focus on games coming to the original Switch, not the Switch 2. If the Generation 10 Pokemon games are indeed targeting the original Switch, it might be some time before the Switch 2 receives a dedicated main series Pokemon game.
